Max Verstappen’s hard driving style has cost him valuable points against rival Lando Norris in the Formula 1 championship after the chaotic Mexico Grand Prix. The two contenders clashed again, leading to Verstappen receiving a 20-second penalty. Norris criticized Verstappen’s tactics as dangerous, while Verstappen acknowledged his team’s struggles with race pace. With four races left, Norris needs to outperform Verstappen significantly to claim the title, as Ferrari leads Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Max Verstappen stumbles in his title chase against Lando Norris during the Mexico Grand Prix, showcasing a driving style that may hinder his chances for the Formula 1 championship.
In the aftermath of the Mexico Grand Prix, discussions of ‘escalation’ surfaced widely in the international Formula 1 media, following Verstappen’s and Norris’s on-track collision for the second time within a week.
Previously, at the Texas Grand Prix, Norris received a five-second penalty for leaving the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen, yet Verstappen also strayed off-course without facing punishment from the race stewards, who dismissed the McLaren team’s appeal.
Another Clash Between Verstappen and Norris in Mexico
Once again in Mexico City, the tension heightened: on lap ten, Verstappen pushed Norris off the track in turn four, leading to another near-collision in turn eight where both cars rolled back onto the circuit via the run-off area. Verstappen ended up with a cumulative 20-second penalty, which he served during his first pit stop.
In the duel between Red Bull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris at the Mexico Grand Prix, Norris expressed his concerns through radio communication during the race, stating: “This guy is dangerous.” Despite respecting Verstappen’s abilities, Norris critiqued the Dutchman’s approach, saying, “It’s not clean driving. I felt like I was focused solely on avoiding a crash. That’s not how you want to race.”
Following the penalty, Verstappen managed to secure sixth place after a fierce recovery, but his lead over Norris, who finished in second place behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, has now dwindled to just 47 points. With four races remaining this season and 120 points still up for grabs, Norris would need to outperform Verstappen by an average of twelve points per race to claim the championship.
The durability of this title race remains uncertain, especially after the “chaotic, bitter, and potentially dangerous Mexico City Grand Prix” as described by the Daily Mail. Verstappen’s aggressive driving could lead to more penalties and further diminish his standing.
The Guardian has also pointed out that Verstappen’s tactics have played a pivotal role in his current predicament, noting that “the points gap could have been reduced had Verstappen not been so relentless in both defense and attack.”
New Regulations Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix
The events in Mexico City illustrate a concerning trend, suggesting that Verstappen may be “losing his nerve” during confrontations with Norris, as reported by the Swiss publication Blick. Verstappen had already received warnings during the FIA drivers’ briefing concerning his controversial defensive action in Austin, prompting calls for stricter measures against his increasingly aggressive driving style.
Growing Scrutiny from Formula 1 Officials
Feeling under scrutiny from Formula 1 officials, Verstappen refrained from discussing the stewards’ interventions post-race. He expressed that the core issue lies in the team’s pace, stating: “Even without the penalty, we wouldn’t have been able to compete for victory.” He defended his assertive driving, emphasizing, “When you’re slower, these scenarios arise. We need to analyze this, but I won’t give up.”
Ferrari Leads the Constructors’ Standings
Red Bull faces pressure to boost their standing if they wish to retain the drivers’ title. Meanwhile, the constructors’ championship seems nearly decided; with another win by Sainz and a third for Leclerc, Ferrari leads the drivers’ standings by 25 points over Red Bull.
Speculation arises that Red Bull may consider another engine change next weekend in Brazil. Motorsport consultant Marko indicated that this would incur a penalty of five grid positions, yet he deemed this issue less critical than dealing with an underperforming engine. This situation may set the stage for yet another thrilling race for Max Verstappen.